Such a structure as a well does not lose its relevance even today, despite the wide availability of all kinds of hydraulic equipment. Owners of country houses and summer cottages continue to use them as before. To avoid losing the only source of water, from time to time it is necessary to maintain and repair the well. How to cope with the task without the help of specialists? The answer to this question can be found in our article.
How do you know it's time for repairs?
Cleaning and repair of wells is required if unsatisfactory water quality is noted. The liquid may acquire a cloudy precipitate, an unpleasant odor or a repulsive taste. It is not worth drinking this water. A number of factors can lead to such problems. On the walls, deposits are often formed in the form of unicellular algae, organic particles. All this is the result of a decrease in the tightness of the joints of the structure, through which groundwater flows into the mine,soil particles. If such problems are noted, it is necessary to seriously think about how to repair the well.
Wooden well
A common problem that causes the need to repair a well made of wood is the destruction of the structure of logs. Replacing such elements is a rather laborious task. For this, a platform is prepared from durable boards. The latter is fixed above the mouth of the well shaft on cables. Thus, a structure similar to a construction cradle is obtained. It is important that several people monitor the safe movement of the site during work. The work is done as follows:
- Descent into the mine to the area of damage is being carried out.
- The top logs are braced to prevent collapse.
- The rotten section is being dismantled.
- Unusable elements are removed from the mine to the surface.
- Replacement logs are being selected.
- New structural elements are hammered into place formed holes.
- All accessories are removed from the well shaft.
Brick well
Repairing a brick well is the easiest. Elements of such structures can be easily dismantled and replaced. First of all, when performing work, it is necessary to carefully clean all the walls. Otherwise, you may not notice certain damage. Having found a defect, it must be cleared in depth. Damaged brick should be removed. The gap must be thoroughly cleaned, and then fresh cement mortar should be laid in it. In place of the old brick, it is necessary to place a new one.
Before returning to the operation of a brick well, it is desirable to plaster the walls of its shaft. To do this, the surfaces should be carefully cleaned with a metal brush, removing mucus and dirt. The cover needs to dry. Only after that you can start applying new plaster.
Repair of concrete well ring
The appearance of gaps between concrete rings occurs under the influence of spring snowmelt. Such troubles are especially often noted in cases where low-quality concrete is laid between the elements of the well. The result is the appearance of all kinds of cracks. Dirty water begins to flow down the walls of the mine.
Repair of wells from concrete rings involves the use of sealant with waterproof properties. An alternative can be a conventional concrete mortar, which needs to carefully treat all cracks. Then you should clean up the material that can crumble into the mine.
The presence of large cracks on the surface of the rings requires processing of the structure from the outside. In this case, a trench breaks out around the well to the depth of the defect. The seams are treated with the same sealant or cement mortar. Once the surfaces are dry, the rings can be buried back in.
Displacement of concrete rings
It often happens that the rings are displacedto one side. How to repair a concrete well in this case? First you need to dig out the rings and put them in place. Next, you should resort to strengthening the structural elements with metal brackets. At least 4 plates are mounted on each joint. For their installation, holes are pre-drilled in the rings. It is recommended to fix the brackets with anchor bolts. Finally, the seams between the rings must be sealed.
Precautions
Descent into the well shaft to perform repairs is potentially dangerous. Therefore, before performing any work, it is recommended to fix the walls of the structure with spacers. The area around the well must be carefully cleaned so that nothing falls inside.
Special attention should be paid to the strength of the ropes on which a person descends into the mine. If work is planned at a considerable depth, it is better to tie the performer with an additional safety rope. All mechanisms that are used to lift a person, tools and materials must be as reliable as possible.
Before descending into the well shaft, it is important to check how breathable the air is. For these purposes, a lit candle should be lowered down. Its rapid extinction indicates the concentration of harmful gases in the well. To fix the problem, a powerful fan must be sent into the mine.
In conclusion
As you can see, repairing certain types of wells is not so difficult. It is only necessary to determine the nature of the problem and choose the best solution to eliminate it. To keep the well in orderit is recommended to carry out an annual preventive inspection of its condition, timely eliminate minor damage, even if the water quality remains in order.
